Common names

Pocket handkerchief tree, Ghost tree, Dove tree, Ladies handkerchief

Description

Davidia involucrata (Pocket handkerchief tree). This conical tree has broad leaves up to 15cm long, and small, deep-set, red-purple flowers surrounded by two long white bracts up to 30cm long. The green brown purple, pendent and ridged fruit are up to 5cm across. The more common cultivated form is Davidia involucrata var. vilmoriniana, which has paler and less downy leaf undersides.

Cultivation

Fully hardy, but will need shelter from strong winds. They will require sun or semi-shade with fertile, well drained but preferably moist soil.

Interest and use

Once considered the Holy Grail of exotic flora, seeds from the tree were first brought back to the UK from China in 1901 by the famous botanist Ernest Wilson.